Syria grapples with severe water shortage following driest winter in decades

Syria is facing a severe water crisis following an exceptionally dry winter, the most arid in nearly 70 years, prompting officials to urge water conservation measures as concerns mount over worsening drought conditions in the summer.

At the heart of the issue lies the Ein El Fijeh spring, historically a vital water source for Damascus, now reduced to a mere trickle due to the record-low winter rainfall.

"This year, we are experiencing a new situation, the rainfall in Syria and in neighboring countries, were very poor. We recorded only 20 percent of the annual rainfall, and this was reflected in the flow of water from this spring, which usually floods from February to June. But this year, the water did not even emerge," said Khaled Hassan, head of the Ein El Fijeh Spring Station.

The Ein El Fijeh spring and its lifeline, the Barada River, provide water to over 5 million people, amplifying concerns about the worsening water scarcity in the months ahead.

Government officials warn the drought situation could become worse during the summer and are urging residents to use water sparingly.

"This year, we have taken measures, we are activating the rationing of water. Damascus used to be supplied with water on a daily basis, but now it will be supplied with water every other day, and we instructed the water rationing," said Hassan.

Poor rainfall is also affecting food security for millions of people, as the Syrian government takes measures to limit crop cultivation that requires too much water.

Muhammad Asmar has been a farmer for over 12 years in rural Damascus. He said this is the worst year he has ever experienced as his wheat crop has failed, while vegetables are struggling to grow due to poor rainfall and water wells being at their lowest ever level.

"Due to poor rainfall, we are facing a lack of water and we are trying to get by. The crops this year are very bad. Many have grown wheat, but all are wasted. I grow peas and they must be watered every 5 days, but in our current condition, we water them every 10 days, so it won't produce as usual," said Asmar.

Amidst these challenges, hopes are pinned on the recent easing of U.S. sanctions, aiming to bolster energy supply in Syria and alleviate the water crisis.

"The water crisis is categorized into two parts. One is linked to the groundwater and the precipitation and this has nothing to do with the government. But the second part is linked to the energy needed to pump water from the wells. More energy for electricity means more hours to pump water into residents' homes and this will alleviate the water crisis," said Muhamad Bakkour, an economic analyst.

Syria grapples with severe water shortage following driest winter in decades

China has been playing a key role in bringing a sense of stability to the world and continuing to promote globalization against a turbulent international backdrop, according to a British scholar as he gave his assessment of China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) which lays out the country's development vision for the years ahead.

Renowned British scholar Martin Jacques, a former senior research fellow in the Department of Politics and International Studies at the University of Cambridge, shared his take on the recently approved outline of China's 15th Five-Year Plan, a key blueprint which maps out China's policy priorities through to the end of the decade.

The plan notes that China advocates practicing true multilateralism, upholding the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

It says China will also seek to expand its global partnership network and guide the international order toward a more fair and just direction.

Despite current geopolitical tensions, Jacques says China is responding to a turbulent world full of uncertainties in a calm and rational manner.

"We are living in dangerous times, unpredictable times, and I think China has found a way in this new, difficult era, in the big power relationship [with the United States], to handle it in a calm way, not rise to the bait, and seek to, as far as possible, keep the relationship on a relatively even keel," he said.

China has also pledged to commit to openness and cooperation against the rise of unilateralism and protectionism, and has vowed to share opportunities and pursue common development with all countries.

Noting the wave of anti-free trade sentiment and protectionist policies which have emerged in the United States, particularly under the administrations of U.S. President Donald Trump, Jacques says that globalization will remain the prevailing trend and believes China has been able to find successful approaches to advance international cooperation amid the current challenges.

"I think globalization is the long-term historic trend. But that doesn't mean globalization is always in good health, it doesn't mean that it doesn't have setbacks. [We are] now in a period where globalization first of all, has been slowed and in key respects reversed, but at the same time we've seen it taking new forms. The Belt and Road Initiative is a very important form of globalization, and it's been very successful," he said.

China striving for stability against unpredictable int'l backdrop: British scholar